Things that separate us from God

ü Neglect.

(Psalm 106:13-14) "But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel. In the desert they gave in to their craving."

ü Disappointment.

(Psalm 10:1) "Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"

ü Sin.

(Isaiah 59:2) "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."

(Ephesians 2:13-14) "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."

Jesus is the bridge between us and God.

(1 Timothy 2:5 (Living Bible) "God longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth: That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them together, by giving his life for all mankind."

(1 Peter 3:18) "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."

(John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

What's it going to take to bring you and God together?

(2 Corinthians 6:2) "I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."

For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

Rob PriceNeed a Filter Change?For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

(2 Corinthians 1:8-9) "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God."

(1 Peter 4:12) "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you."

The title of my message today is: The Father's Formula

The Father's Formula

(James 1:1) "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings."

(James 1:2) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…"

The Formula: EIC²

ü Evaluation – see trials through the eyes of faith.

(James 1:3) "…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

ü Information – understand what the trial is producing.

(1 Peter 1:6-7) "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

(James 1:4) "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

ü Cooperation – work with God in the process.

(Romans 8:28) "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

(James 1:5) "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

ü Conversation – ask for God's help.

(James 1:6-7) "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

(James 1:12) "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

TRUE WORSHIPERS

What is the one thing that God desires from us and we have the ability to freely give it or withhold it from Him?

Why is worship so important to God?

1. You are a worshipper

2. You will become like what you worship. "It behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming." Ralph Waldo Emerson

(John 4:23) "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."

3 Qualities of a True Worshiper

1. WORSHIP WITH AWE.

(Revelation 1:16-17a) "In his right hand he held seven stars…His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead…"

Shachah (shaw-khaw')

(Hebrews 12:28-29) "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

2.

3. 2. WORSHIP WITH ABANDONMENT.

(2 Samuel 6:21, 22) "David said to Michal…'I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes…'"

Hallal (hal-lal')

3. WORSHIP WITH INTIMACY.

(Psalm 27:4) "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

Sharath (shaw-rath')

(Psalm 63:2-5) "I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

War for our Worship

What is the one thing that God desires most from you and you have the ability to freely give it or withhold it from Him?

(Isaiah 14:13-14) 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly…I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'

(Matthew 4:8-9) "…the devil took (Jesus) to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.'"

Why is worship so important to God?

1. You are a worshipper

(Exodus 20:3-5) "'You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself idols…You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.'"

What do you worship?

2. You will become like what you worship.

(Psalm 115:4,8) "But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men…Those who make them will be like them and so will all who trust in them."

Three important players:

A. The Audience

B. The Performer

C. The Director

How do we learn to worship?

Who is God and what has He done?

(Hebrews 12:28-29) "…since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

How do I do it? Respond naturally to His supernatural goodness

(Matthew 18:20) "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.""

In view of who God is and what He has done, I bring an offering. And I am the offering.

(Romans 12: 1 ) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

Discharge Instructions

C.S. Lewis said

"Think of me as a fellow-patient in the same hospital who, having been admitted a little earlier, could give some advice."

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-3) "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build."

Emergency Room

Unresolved yesterdays. Your Sin

"Almost no one bears a heavier load than the carrier of personal secrets of the past or present."

(Romans 6:23) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Untreated pain. Wounds from others

(Hebrews 12:15) "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

(Jeremiah 6:14) "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace."

(Psalm 147:3) "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Unawareness of spiritual activity. Curse of the devil

(1 Peter 5:8-9) "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith."

Discharge Instructions

(Colossians 3:7-8) "You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things…"

1. Make up your mind to change.

(Colossians 3:8) "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."

2. Ask for God's help.

(Colossians 3:10) "…put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."

3. Be motivated by love.

(Colossians 3:12-14) "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

The six facets of love: Compassion Kindness Humility

Gentleness

Patience

Forgiveness

4. Fight for unity.

(Colossians 3:15) "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace."

5. Stay positive.

(Colossians 3:15-17) "And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

6. Keep your focus on others.

(Colossians 3:18-21) "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."

(Proverbs 18:1) (NKJV) "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) (NLT) "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble."For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1,5) "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance."

Toxic Environments

(Matthew 13:3-7) Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants."

Toxic Traits:

ü Reckless words.

(Proverbs 12:18) "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

ü Negative attitudes.

(Romans 8:6) "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."

ü An unbalanced life.

(Luke 21:34) "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap."

ü Wrong choices.

(Proverbs 11:19) "The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death."

Life Support

(Matthew 20:25-26) Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you."

5 Secrets to creating life-giving environments:

1. Give them something unexpected.

(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

2. Show them special attention.

(Matthew 17:1) "After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves."

3. Express unconditional acceptance.

(Mark 10:16) "And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."

4. Encourage them with your words.

(Matthew 16:17-18) Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

(Proverbs 18:21) (MSG) "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose."

5. Put their agenda ahead of your own.

(Mark 10:45) "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

Recommended Reading

Books on Communication:

Cracking the Communication Code: The Secret to Speaking Your Mate's Language By: Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Coaching Kids: Practical Tips for Effective Communication By: Jim Ward, Ruth Ward

Will the Real Me Please Stand Up: Twenty-Five Guidelines for Good Communication By: John Powell S.J.

Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication By: Andy Stanley, Lane Jones

Now You're Speaking My Language: Honest Communication and Deeper Intimacy for a Stronger Marriage By: Gary Chapman

Mars and Venus in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting Results at Work (Hardcover)by John Gray (Author)

The Difference Maker: Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset (Hardcover) by John C. Maxwell (Author)

Winning with People: Discover the People Principles that Work for You Every Time (Paperback) by John C. Maxwell

Week 3 – Extraordinary Communication

(Ecclesiastes 3:1,7) "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…a time to be silent and a time to speak."

5 Dysfunctions of a Team:

1. Absence of TRUST

2. Fear of CONFLICT

3. Lack of COMMITMENT

4. Avoidance of ACCOUNTABILITY

5. Inattention to RESULTS

(Ephesians 2:13-14) "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."

What are these barriers?

ü Distance

ü Walls

ü Hostility

Extraordinary Communication

1. Guard your heart.

(Matthew 12:34-35) "…For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."

(Psalm 141:3-4) "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies."

2. Build trust.

(Matthew 5:37) "Simply let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

3. Be quick to listen.

(James 1:19) "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

(Proverbs 10:19) "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

4. Speak words of life.

(Proverbs 25:11) "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."

(Proverbs 15:4) "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life…"

(Ephesians 4:29) "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

Rx for a Healthy Family

This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not loss—good, not evil—success, not failure in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it.

(Ephesians 5:15-16) "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

A healthy, supportive family should be..

ü A place of protection

ü A place of preparation

ü A place to play

What's the Rx for Healthy Families?

A. Decisions

B. Disciplines

Making the Decision

ü Determine your priorities.

(Malachi 4:6) "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

(1 Timothy 5:8) "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

ü Decide on your philosophy.

(Joshua 24:15) "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

ü Develop your problem-solving strategy.

(Proverbs 24:3 NCV) "It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong."

Managing the Discipline

1. Put your family on your calendar first.

(Psalm 90:12 LB) "Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should."

2. Give your marriage top priority.

(Mark 3:25) "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

3. Create and maintain family traditions.

(Psalm 127:3) "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

4. Find ways to spend time together.

(Deuteronomy 6:7 LB) "You must teach these commandments to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk; at bedtime and the first thing in the morning."

5. Express appreciation for each other.

(Proverbs 15:23) "A man finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word!"

(Ephesians 4:29) "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs."

6. Resolve conflict as quickly as possible.

(Proverbs 17:9) "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends."

(1 Peter 4:8) "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

Title: A Matter of the Heart

(Matthew 19:6-8) "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning."

(Proverbs 4:23) "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Heart Attack

Largely lifestyle related

 Selfishness instead of serving.

(James 3:14-16) "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

 Rejection instead of respecting.

(Mark 3:25) "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

 Bitterness instead of blessing.

(Ephesians 4:31-32) "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

 Lust instead of loyalty.

(Mark 7:21) "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man unclean."

That was the diagnosis – here is the remedy

Triple Bypass Surgery

1. Cleanse you from your past.

(Ezekiel 36:25) "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.

2. Change you for a new start.

(Ezekiel 36:26) "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

3. Fill you with His Spirit.

(Ezekiel 36:27) "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."

For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.